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THE PHNOM PENH POST June 17, 2013
National
Heritage meeting kicks off Vong Sokheng
SOME 1,500 international delegates and government officials from more than 120 countries gathered in Phnom Penh’s Peace Palace yesterday for the launch of the UNESCO 37th World Heritage Committee meetings. At last night’s opening ceremony, Prime Minister Hun Sen welcomed the attendees and
stressed Cambodia’s commitment to preserving its heritage sites, even in the wake of booming tourism. He also offered especial thanks to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, which last week returned to Cambodia a pair of looted 10thcentury statues, in a rare act of voluntary repatriation. From June 16 to 27, committee chair Cambodia and the 20 oth-
Prime Minister Hun Sen welcomes the return of a Koh Ker statue during the opening session of the 37th World Heritage Committee at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh yesterday. heng chivoan
er current committee member states will select about 15 new UNESCO World Heritage Sites from a list of 31 candidates, spokesman Roni Amelan said at a press conference yesterday. Nominees recommended to join the current 962 World Heritage sites include China’s Tianshan Mountains, Italy’s Mount Etna, Japan’s Mount Fuji, North Korea’s Kaesong (capital of the medieval Koryo Dynasty), and the historic city centre of Agadez in Niger. Ek Tha, spokesman for the meetings as well as for the Council of Ministers’ Press and Quick Reaction Unit, said that as chair of the meetings, Cambodia had not nominated any of its own sites for inscription. “We wanted to show the national and international community that we are neutral” and that Cambodia is “playing a greater role at the global level by bringing together the cultural experts and policy makers to protect and preserve the cultural and natural heritage worldwide,” Tha said.
Victims file suit against ‘denier’ Cheang Sokha
A HANDFUL of S-21 survivors and victims of the Khmer Rouge filed a defamation lawsuit against acting Cambodia National Rescue Party president Kem Sokha Friday, just as the Senate approved a law making it a crime to deny the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. Kouy Thunna, a lawyer for S-21 survivors Chum Mey and Norng Chan Phal, and fellow Khmer Rouge victims Chin Mat and Norng Chan Thorn, said yesterday that he had filed a lawsuit with the Phnom Penh Municipal Court arguing that remarks allegedly made by Sokha that S-21’s history had been fabricated by the invading Vietnamese amounted to libel. “They are demanding a fine of $1,000 in order to hold a ceremony for the souls of the victims at Tuol Sleng museum,” Thunna said. “I think more victims will also file petitions against Kem Sokha.” The lawsuit was filed after Sokha refused to apologise for the remarks, which he has maintained he never made, saying the audio recordings of the statements released by the govern-
ment were taken out of context and doctored. Sokha was in Japan yesterday, and could not be reached for comment, but CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann said the party was unconcerned with the suit, calling it a political ploy to paint Sokha in an unflattering light. “We are not concerned about the complaint at all,” he said. “What we focus on are the issues of the border, immigration and the national issues that are the biggest concerns of Cambodians.” Meanwhile, the law on Khmer Rouge Crimes Denial, which was proposed by a number of ruling-party lawmakers in the wake of the release of the alleged remarks, was approved by the Senate on Friday, said house spokesman Tep Makara. According to a Senate press release, the law was passed without a single vote against it, a feat made possible by the fact that the vote was boycotted by all opposition senators, Sam Rainsy Party Senator Kong Korm said. “We support the law, but it was proposed urgently, with little time for consultation about responsibility, and a lack of detailed discussion,” he said.
Self-exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy spoke via video conference to party supporters from Paris at the Cambodia National Rescue Party headquarters Phnom Penh yesterday. vireak mai
Rainsy avoids Sokha issues in talk to youth Meas Sokchea
M
AKING his first public remarks since members of his party were sued for defamation, publicly hounded for child support and accused of attempting to pay for sex with a minor, Cambodia National Rescue Party president Sam Rainsy touted his Facebook popularity yesterday at a pro-opposition youth rally. Though he took pains to mention that his profile on the social networking site had garnered more support in three months than Prime Minister Hun Sen’s had in three years, Rainsy at no point mentioned the ongoing controversies surrounding his party, neither in remarks via Skype to the youths, nor in a private teleconference with embattled acting party president Kem Sokha, a CNRP spokesman said. “[Sokha] discussed with Mr Sam Rainsy via Skype about disturbances from the ruling party, such as [local authorities] dis-
International Labour Organization
Job Announcement
turbing us when we have public forums to meet with people, and disturbances over putting up a party sign,” CNRP spokesman Yem Ponharith said. When asked why the two leaders had not discussed the recent controversies surrounding remarks allegedly made by Sokha that the S-21 narrative had been fabricated by the Vietnamese, and accusations of extramarital impropriety made by the premier and a woman claiming to be Sokha’s mistress, Ponharith said that the party was not interested in continuing to dredge up these issues. Speaking via Skype to about 500 youths at CNRP headquarters, Rainsy chose instead to focus on issues that have perennially been the subject of opposition criticisms – the composition of the National Election Committee and Rainsy’s own ability to return to Cambodia from self-exile and participate in elections – and even engaged in some antiVietnamese rhetoric.
“Therefore, the Cambodian People’s Party backed by the Yuon must think correctly. If they are aiming to have a joke election, not change the NEC, and not allow myself, Sam Rainsy, to participate in that election, then an election like this – there will not be anyone recognising it,” Rainsy said. But Tith Sothea, a spokesman with the government’s Press and Quick Reaction Unit, said that the government was unconcerned with international recognition, and that what mattered was providing citizens with the right to vote in multiparty elections. NEC secretary-general Tep Nytha, for his part, said Rainsy was obligated to recognise the results of July’s election, as all political parties had signed a contract agreeing to do so. “If the election is already finished and he does not announce that he recognises it publicly, we would take those seats that he received to distribute to the other parties that were elected,” he said.
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT (CCCA Trust Fund Secretariat)
Programme Assistants (GS-6 Approximately US$ 1,000 net per month) Better Factories Cambodia (BFC) is an innovative program which seeks to improve working conditions in the export garment industry in Cambodia. The project is growing, and is looking for up to four Programme Assistants based in Phnom Penh. The position will be offered one year contract with possible extension. This work will suit a motivated candidate with established skills in the required areas and a willingness to learn new skills and take on increasing responsibility as the project evolves. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Law, Business Administration, Economics, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering and other related fields. Preferably master degree qualification. At least five years’ work experience in a related field Knowledge of occupational safety and health, chemical safety, productivity and/or environmental issues pertaining to the garment and footwear industry is considered an advantage COMPETENCIES 1. Excellent communications skills, both oral and written; 2. Good analytical skills; 3. Understanding of enterprise level human resource, production and quality systems; 4. Good understanding of corporate social responsibility and labor compliance issues in global supply chains; 5. Knowledge of footwear production, especially chemical safety and related OSH issues; 6. Experience in using basic computer software including e-mail, Microsoft Word and Excel, and information management systems; 7. Good knowledge of the Cambodian labour law and regulations; 8. Ability to work independently as well as contributing to the work of a team; 9. Capacity to liaise and network with a range of stakeholders including staff, donors, buyers, government officials, management, unions and NGOs ILO is an equal opportunity employer. Women and persons with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply. All applicants must attach their up to date CV and 1-2 pages statement addressing their claims against the required competencies. Applicants who fail to submit the competency statement will not be considered for shortlisted. Please find detail of the job announcement at www.betterfactories.org Only short listed applications will be contacted. Applications should be sent to bfcjobs@ilo.org or to Better Factories Cambodia Office at # 9 Street 322, BoeungKeng Kang 1, Phnom Penh. closing date for application is 28 June 2013, 17:00
The Cambodia Climate Financing Framework (CCFF) is being developed by the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) to inform among others the implementation of the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan (CCCSP) which is expected to be approved by June 2013, together with sectoral Climate Change Strategic Plans (CCSP) in 9 priority ministries and agencies. The CCFF therefore aims to operationalize the CCCSP and the sectoral CCSPs, and to make it possible for these strategic plans to in�luence dedicated climate funding and routine planning. As part of the CCFF process, priority line ministries will develop Climate Change Action Plans (CCAP), in line with their sector strategic plans. CCCA is now looking to hire a quali�ied and experienced national consultant for Industry, Energy and Transport Sector– Climate Change Financing Framework. The consultant will work within a team of international and national staff and consultants.
Expected Outputs and Deliverables Detailed individual work plan for the assignment (jointly with the Team Leader) Draft CCAP for Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy (MIME) Draft CCAP for Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) Final draft CCAPs for MPWT and MIME Timing 65 working days (from mid July to mid October 2013) Minimum quali�ications Minimum of a Masters degree in economics, engineering or a related subject (or Bachelors degree with 7 years relevant experience) At least 3 to 5 years of experience working on policy analysis, including strong experience in the energy and/or industry and/or roads sector. Familiarity with economic planning techniques Ability to interact with government of�icials Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability Full pro�iciency in English and Khmer (written and spoken)
Interested individuals should �irst download full Terms of Reference from website www.camclimate.org.kh. To apply, please send a curriculum vitae (including names of three referees) with a cover letter to the Trust Fund Secretariat to the following email address. Email: daravuth.youn@gmail.com or admin@camclimate.org.kh
Closing date: Monday 24 June 2013, 12PM Women are encouraged to apply. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.